19 door knobs replaced, one to go. Somehow one with the wrong finish sneaked into the bag.

I give you: The most effecient way to replace door handles. Of course, this only applies to my specific situation, but I’m sure you gathered that already.

Tools:

• Cordless screwdriver w/ phillips head bit
• Chisel
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Paper towel

Process

1. Remove the old strike plate. Put cordless screwdriver on low torque, start unscrewing the top screw then switch to high torque and remove it. Repeat for bottom screw.
2. Use chisel to square off the rounded corners of the cut-out for the new strike plate since it doesn’t have rounded corners.
3. Hold new strike plate in place and drive the screws in most of the way with the electric screwdriver on high torque. Tighten with hand screwdriver.
4. Loosen the screws in the inside door handle with hand screwdriver, then remove them with electric screwdriver (high torque).
5. Remove the door latch thingy. Put cordless screwdriver on low torque, start unscrewing the top screw then switch to high torque and remove it. Repeat for bottom screw.
6. Pop square face plate off new door latch thingy using the flat head screwdriver.
7. Put door latch thingy in place with round face plate and drive the screws in most of the way with the electric screwdriver on high torque. Tighten with hand screwdriver.
8. Put the door handles in place and hold them with one hand while you screw in the screws most of the way with the electric screwdriver on high torque. Tighten with hand screwdriver.
9. Repeat steps 1-8 until no doors with old handles remain.

Did anyone care about this? I didn’t think so. 🙂 It’s very satisfying getting the new fixtures in the house and getting ready to move in.